As part of the U.S. Postal Service's downsizing plan, about 24,000 unionized clerks and mechanics have applied for buyouts or early retirement. / Seth Perlman, AP

by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

Nearly 24,000 unionized mail clerks and mechanics have applied for buyouts or early retirement as the cash-strapped Postal Service downsizes for long-term financial stability, the Federal Times reports.

An APWU spokeswoman told the Federal Times, published by Gannett, USA TODAY's parent, that about 23,600 workers had applied for the buyouts by Nov. 28. The deadline for full-time employees was Dec. 3, but part-timers have until Jan. 4.

A USPS spokesman said the final number of those who accepted the offer would be announced only after Jan. 4.

Look for more early-outs as the USPS proceeds with plans to close or consolidate more than 200 mail processing plants in the next two years, a retired APWU president told the paper.

Postmaster General Pat Donahoe wants to cut the current workforce of about 528,000 to 402,000 by 2016.

So far this year, about 4,200 postmasters have accepted $20,000 incentives to leave, and almost 3,000 mail handlers took $15,000 buyouts to retire or quit.

Last month, the Postal Service reported an annual loss of almost $16 billion -- a record -- and forecast another big deficit for 2013. Most of the operating loss resulted from congressionally mandated early payments to cover costs of future retiree health benefits, something not required of private businesses.

Twice this year, the post office -- an independent agency that does not receive tax money but is regulated by Congress -- defaulted on health prepayments for the first time ever.